Apple Tightens Full Disk Access on Macs to Combat AI Risks
WHO:
Ars Technica - Apple is the organization implementing changes to macOS.
TechCrunch - Meta is mentioned in relation to a claim about its Muse app.
WHAT:
Fox News - Instinct founder Noah Shinn announced Instinct Concierge on Sept. 16, allowing the AI personal assistant to handle phone calls and other service tasks for users.
Fox News - Meta's Muse is reportedly testing an outbound-calling capability that lets some users ask the agent to call U.S. businesses, although this feature remains in limited testing.
Fox News - Meta's Muse has a free tier with a usage limit, with paid plans reported at $20 a month and $100 a month, depending on additional usage needs.
Fox News - Instinct raised $250 million in an August Series B round, valuing the company at $2.5 billion, and announced a $1 billion Series C round on Sept. 28, valuing the company at $10 billion.
Fox News - Meta's Muse climbed to the top of Apple's U.S. App Store after its launch on Sept. 8, with downloads exceeding 3 million by late September.
9to5mac.com - Apple’s new ‘homeOS’ will launch this month, introducing new features for smart home devices.
Ars Technica - Apple is changing full-disk access permissions on Macs.
Mashable - Apple will roll out an update to "Full Disk Access" to protect users from AI agents.
The Verge - Apple will limit Mac disk access due to increased risks from AI agents.
TechCrunch - Apple is adding new controls around macOS’s Full Disk Access permission.
WHERE:
TechCrunch - The changes are being made to macOS, which is the operating system for Mac computers.
WHEN:
Fox News - Instinct's AI assistant's phone-calling feature is being rolled out in early access to some users, with plans to expand availability over time.
WHY:
TechCrunch - Apple states that AI agents have increased "the risks associated with this level of access."
TechCrunch - The changes come after a journalist claimed that Meta's Muse app read their private messages, a claim that Meta disputed.
HOW:
Fox News - Instinct's AI assistant can now handle phone calls and other service tasks for users, with early access being rolled out to some users.
TechCrunch - Apple is tightening controls around Full Disk Access to mitigate risks from AI agents accessing users’ files, messages, mail, and browsing history.
(UPDATED October 3, 2026 19:48 UTC)
Instinct founder Noah Shinn recently announced the launch of Instinct Concierge, an AI personal assistant that can handle phone calls and other service tasks for users, with early access being rolled out gradually. Meanwhile, Meta's Muse is testing a similar outbound-calling capability, allowing some users to request calls to U.S. businesses, although this feature is still in limited testing. Muse offers a free tier with usage limits, while paid plans are available at $20 and $100 a month, depending on user needs.
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(UPDATED October 3, 2026 18:37 UTC)
Instinct has announced a significant $1 billion Series C funding round, following its earlier $250 million Series B round in August, which has now valued the company at an impressive $10 billion. Meanwhile, Meta's Muse has quickly risen to the top of Apple's U.S. App Store after its launch on September 8, racking up over 3 million downloads by late September. Instinct's AI assistant is making waves by now being able to handle phone calls and various service tasks, with early access being rolled out to select users.
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(UPDATED October 3, 2026 17:15 UTC)
Apple is set to launch its new 'homeOS' later this month, bringing exciting new features for smart home devices. This update aims to enhance the user experience and connectivity within smart homes. Stay tuned for more details as the release date approaches.
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(UPDATED October 3, 2026 16:23 UTC)
Apple is implementing significant changes to macOS by tightening controls around Full Disk Access permissions to enhance user security. This decision comes in response to growing concerns about AI agents potentially accessing sensitive information, especially after a journalist claimed that Meta's Muse app read their private messages, a claim that Meta has disputed. The update aims to protect users from these increased risks by limiting disk access on Mac computers.